Releasing music is so exciting, but, too many music artists focus on the song itself rather than the marketing of the song. How can you expect people to listen if they don’t know it’s happening?
Releasing new music is an exciting moment for any artist, but it can also be overwhelming. Many musicians pour their heart and soul into creating their music but fall short when it comes to the release strategy. This can lead to missed opportunities for growth, exposure, and ultimately, success.
1. Not building buzz before the release
One of the biggest mistakes musicians make is waiting until the release day to start promoting their new music. The truth is, your audience needs time to get excited about your upcoming release. Failing to build hype in advance means you’re missing out on the potential buzz that could lead to more streams, downloads, and engagement on the day your song drops.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Start teasing your music weeks, or even months, before the release. Share snippets of the song, behind-the-scenes footage from the studio, and countdowns on your social media.
- Create a Pre-save link to encourage your fans to be the first to hear your new track as soon as it’s out. Platforms like PUSH.fm allow you to create customisable Pre-save links, making it easier for your fans to access your music the moment it’s live on streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music.
By building anticipation and encouraging Pre-saves, you’ll increase the likelihood of your release gaining traction from day one.
2. Skipping professional mixing and mastering
You might have written an incredible song, but if it doesn’t sound polished, it could lose its impact. One common mistake musicians make is releasing tracks that haven’t been professionally mixed and mastered. These final steps ensure that your music sounds its best across all speakers, from headphones to car stereos.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Invest in professional mixing and mastering services. If budget is an issue, consider working with up-and-coming engineers who offer affordable rates, or explore online mastering services like LANDR or eMastered.
- Always listen to the final mix on multiple devices before approving it for release. This ensures that your song sounds great in different environments.
Skipping these crucial steps can hurt the quality of your release and impact how fans (and industry professionals) perceive your music.
3. Ignoring the power of Fan Links
Another major mistake musicians make is not providing a seamless way for fans to access their music across various platforms. Some fans prefer Spotify, while others use Apple Music or YouTube. If you only share one link, you may alienate a significant portion of your audience.
How to avoid this mistake:
- Use PUSH.fm Fan Links to create a centralized hub for all your music platforms. Fan Links are customisable smart links that allow you to include every streaming platform your music is available on, so your fans can choose the service they prefer.
- You can also add your social media links, music videos, and even a bio, making it a one-stop shop for everything related to your music.
This not only makes it easier for your fans to access your music, but it also increases the likelihood of them streaming your song on their preferred platform.
Releasing music is about more than just uploading your tracks to streaming services. Avoiding these common mistakes—building buzz, ensuring top-notch audio quality, and using tools like PUSH.fm Fan Links—will set you up for a more successful and impactful release. By focusing on these strategies, you’ll be in a stronger position to reach a wider audience.
